With the ability to operate in very narrow aisles in the warehouse – available in electric and LPG - the Aisle Master articulated forklift increases and maximizes storage capacity. What’s more, by using the one truck, users can increase productivity and eliminate time-consuming double handling and speed up “truck to rack” operations.

Increase Your Storage Capacity by up to 50%

When you require additional warehouse space, you have two options ­– extend your existing facility or move premises. With an Aisle Master articulated forklift, you have a third option. By optimizing your racking layout and reducing aisle widths down to as little as 1.6 m, you can dramatically increase your storage capacity within your existing facility. Greater reach and capacity mean a 50% increase in warehouse storage and reduced costs.

Versatility

Each VNA truck can operate on any floor surface, both inside and out, eliminating the need for both reach and counterbalance machines, minimising costs. Effortlessly save time and money with the one truck transporting loads from trailer to racking position in a single operation. Thanks to the large rubber tires, operators can make light work of loading and offloading in semi-rough yards while enjoying a smooth ride regardless of the terrain, eliminating the need for both reach and counterbalance machines, thus minimizing costs.

Work Stronger for Longer and Reduce Costs

High quality, robust construction of chassis and mast means Aisle Master are designed to withstand heavy-duty use inside and out. Each VNA, articulated forklift truck is manufactured to the highest standards using high-grade steel and castings. All Aisle Master product is uniquely factory backed by a 5-year or 5,000 hours parts warranty as standard, giving you total peace of mind across the life of your truck and ensuring lowest total cost of ownership.

Ergonomics & Visibility

Driver comfort and safety included as standard: enhanced cabin ergonomics and superb visibility lead to fewer operator health problems and less downtime, boosting driver satisfaction and productivity. Easy operation gives greater efficiency and higher productivity – resulting in better use of space and lower operating costs.

Doing more with less has become more important than ever in the warehousing industry. While manufacturing and distribution centers are on the rise in the United States, companies are uncovering new challenges when it comes to their warehouse space. There is a need to fit increasing volumes of products into the same warehouse buildings. How are we supposed to do this? Packing all of your product into smaller spaces usually calls for Narrow Aisles (NA) or Very Narrow Aisles (VNA) solutions.

General Aisle Widths

A typical aisle measures 10 ½ feet or more. While narrow aisles range anywhere from 8 ½ to 10 ½ feet, very narrow aisles may be only as wide as 5 to 7 feet. This is why NAs and VNAs can be a challenge when putting product away or stacking orders. Normally, counterbalance forklifts do not fit in these types of spaces, and even if they did, they would not have a tight enough turn radius to avoid hitting the racking. Below are some of the options you can look at to help you solve you narrow aisle problems.

3 Wheel Electric Forklift

The 3 Wheel Electric Forklift is great for narrow aisles. It leads the industry in run time, travel speed, and lift/lowering speeds. Having just one wheel in back allows for a tighter turn radius meaning it doesn’t need as much room as a four-wheel forklift to turn. The 3 Wheel Electric is also available in a “short” model, making it an even better fit for those compact areas. But just because it is smaller doesn’t mean it isn’t powerful. This forklift can lift up to 4,000 lbs.!

6 Series Order Picker

Toyota’s Order Picker is manufactured for specific applications. Order pickers are used to help employees reach goods stored on high racking, but does not necessarily stack products. There is a platform where an operator stands to pick things off of the shelves and place them on the pallet in front of them (that also raises and lowers with the operator). Order pickers allow for very narrow aisles, because they do not need to turn for an operator to put things away. They just reach from side to side, making things accessible for your operator.

Electric Reach Truck

The last piece of equipment we are going to touch on is the Electric Reach Truck. This forklift allows you to put pallets behind each other, by “reaching” out. It comes in a single- or double-reach model, helping you utilize your space more efficiently. The other benefit to using this machine is its ability to lift up to almost 30 feet! And its lift capacity of 4,500 lbs., is ready to take on heavy loads.

These are just a few of the options that Toyota Forklifts offers for those tricky narrow aisles. Take a look at the infographic below to get an idea of the complete range of narrow-aisle equipment available to you. Remember, if you need help deciding on what product is right for you, contact Dillon Toyota Lift, and we will gladly assist you.

Written by:  Lucas Collom, Digital Projects Administrator, Toyota Material Handling, USA